WSOP Final-Table Finisher Richard Lee Has San Antonio Home Raided

“One, two, three, look at Mr. Lee
Three, four, five, look at him jive,
Mr. Lee, Mr. Lee”

--- the Bobbettes, “Mr. Lee”

“Mister Lee! What ha’ ye been doing?” So might be saying the San Antonio police to 2006 WSOP Main Event sixth-place finisher Richard Lee... well, given that the San Antonio fuzz take on a Cockney accent and borrow a paddy wagon for the occasion.

But on a more serious note, Lee’s San Antonio home was among several in that Texas city raided last night, as part of an ongoing investigation into what was termed as an “extensive illegal Internet gambling operation,” as reported on mysanantonio.com. The police spokesman quoted in the story mentioned that the home owned by Lee --- who took home nearly three million for his recent main-event run --- had been under investigation for months, and of all the houses raided, Lee’s was the presumed nerve center of the operation.

Indeed, the raid seems to have uncovered dozens of receipts for gambling winnings, at least $500,000 in total, but the eye-opening items had to do with what else was seized from the Lee residence. In addition to the receipts, a large amount of cash, and several plasma-screen TVs, the police also seized five --- count 'em, five --- Lexus vehicles: three sedans and two of those Lexus SUVs that I try to stay a good distance from when I approach one at a stoplight.

But wait, there’s more! Also seized was a ... money-counting machine?? Okay, now we needs some 'splainin'. While the presence of five Lexus autos might be seen as just a wee bit ostentatious a display of wealth for something obtained not quite on the ol' up-and-up, exactly how does a money-counting machine factor into an Internet gambling operation?

Since we are faced with one of those “two plus two equals seven” situations, we’ll probably have to wait until more news comes out on the matter. It seems clear that there’s more going on here than just an “Internet” operation, if the money-counting machine is indeed connected to the rest.

For Lee, though, it can’t be good news. Alright, first Gold, now Lee... who’s next to come crashing back to earth?